Page 50 of Crew Princess
Splash!
I submerged in the water, and it was freezing, but with a kick, I shot up. As soon as I surfaced, I began moving to the side. “I’m good. And clear.”
“I’m over here.”
I moved toward her, hearing her teeth chatter. “What’s your name?”
“Aspen.”
Her teeth were clanking together.
That wasn’t good. “Are you going to be able to handle this? We might have to hide for a bit.”
“Uh-huh.” She didn’t sound so sure, though.
“Coming!” A big splash followed, the water rippling from the weight.
“Z.”
He popped up and swam over, grabbing my arm.
“We’re clear.”
Another splash, a bigger splash.
“That’s Jordan.”
Z swam back to pull him over.
“I can swim, douchebag.” Irritation was thick in his tone, but I heard the pain too. “Ah. Leg cramp. Fuck!”
A last and final splash.
A second later, Cross didn’t sound affected at all, “We’re all good?” He kicked off, coming over to me. “Bren?”
“Here.” I felt him tugging on my shirt and twisted around, linking our hands, drawing him forward. “We gotta move. The girl’s already really cold.”
“I’m fi—i—ine!”
Even Zellman snorted. “Yeah. Right. You’re going to get hypothermia.”
“I—have—a—bag—of—dry—clothes—on—the—bank.” She gulped for breath. “Just ahead.”
“Say what?”
I growled, speaking over whatever Jordan or anyone else might say. “We don’t have time for this. We have to go.” I grabbed her shirt. “Everyone link up. You lead the way.” I patted her arm, and once Zellman and Jordan were holding on to each other, and Jordan was holding Cross’ shoulder, we started.
We were silent, swimming for about thirty seconds when we heard voices above. Lights shone down into the hole.
“Hey! Here’s a river hole.”
“Over here!”
We could hear them crashing through the brush above, their voices growing clearer. More and more light came shining down, but we were far enough ahead. They couldn’t see us.
“They’re not there. No way. They’d head for the road. Let’s keep sweeping the ground.”
Cross’ hand squeezed mine. He tugged me back, ghosting his lips over my forehead, before we were back to swimming.
